When I was growing up in an Irish Catholic household , Easter was about Jesus rising from the dead, the rock pushed away from the grave in which he was laid, after his death on the cross. Now it seems to be about bunnies, not rabbits, but bunnies, usually chocolate ones,along with jelly beans, Cadbury eggs and of course those sugar coated marshmallow treats we called peeps. I'm sure that there are many Catholics and Christians who still celebrate it as their Messiah's triumph over death, and regard it as one of the holiest of holy days . But where did this bunnie fixation come from? I'm sure there is someone out there who knows the answer, but it is largely a rhetorical question . Just as Christmas,the birth of the Savior, became almost inexplicably associated with Santa Claus,it seems like we need some materialistic manifestation of these holy days- to do what- make them more meaningful? More appealing ? More fun? I know I am displaying my ignorance on the origins of these two financially challenging holy days , but let's leave it at that. In my mind holy days should be spent in quiet contemplation , in meditation of higher things , in remembrance of their origins, instead of gorging on candy and counting the # of presents you got this year. As a former Catholic, even I remember these holi- days,holy days with some notion of the joy these days should generate- the birth of Jesus! His triumph over one of our most fearful events- he rose from the dead, the only person I've ever heard rumors of accomplishing this astonishing feat. Just some thoughts, as I shop for something to believe in; and I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with chocolate crosses and bunnies or in the presents under the tree. But in WHY are we here, and what are we supposed to do with this temporary gift of life ?
